QGD: 4.Bg5 Bb4

Before the first move

The Queen's Gambit Declined with 4.Bg5 is one of the most prestigious systems in chess history. White seeks to pin the f6-knight to create central pressure, while Black's 4...Bb4 counter-pin leads to a sharp, modern battle where both sides fight for control over the d5 and e4 squares.

1. d4White · your move

Push your pawn to d4. This move claims central space, opens lines for your queen and bishop, and establishes a firm foothold in the middle of the board for your future strategy.

1... d5Black

Black plays d5, meeting d4 head-on. While alternatives like the English Defense (b6) or the Englund Gambit (e5) are possible, this move is the most robust way to challenge White's central ambitions from the very first move.

Other paths here: Na6 (Australian Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense: Borg Gambit) · b6 (English Defense) · e5 (Englund Gambit)

2. c4White · your move

Offer the Queen's Gambit by moving your pawn to c4. You are attacking Black's d5-pawn and inviting them to capture it, which would allow you to take full control of the center with your e-pawn later.

Other paths here: Qd3 (Amazon Attack) · e4 (Blackmar-Diemer Gambit) · e3 (Queen's Pawn Game) · Bf4 (Queen's Pawn Game: Accelerated London System)

2... e6Black

Black plays e6, choosing the Queen's Gambit Declined. This is more solid than the Baltic Defense (Bf5) or the Chigorin (Nc6). By maintaining the pawn on d5, Black ensures White doesn't get a free hand in the center.

Other paths here: c5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Austrian Defense) · Bf5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Baltic Defense) · Nf6 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Marshall Defense) · b5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Zilbermints Gambit)

3. Nc3White · your move

Develop your knight to c3. This piece adds immediate pressure to the d5-square and prepares to control the center. It is a flexible developing move that keeps your options open for several different systems.

Other paths here: Bf4 (QGD: 3.Bf4) · cxd5 (QGD: 3.cxd5) · e3 (QGD: 3.e3) · g3 (QGD: 3.g3)

3... Nf6Black

Black plays Nf6, the main line of the QGD. Instead of this, Black could try the Janowski Variation with a6 or the Ragozin setup with Bb4 immediately, but Nf6 is the most flexible and respected response.

Other paths here: Bb4 (QGD: 3.Nc3 Bb4) · Nc6 (QGD: 3.Nc3 Nc6) · Be7 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Charousek Variation) · a6 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Janowski Variation)

4. Bg5White · your move

Slide your bishop to g5. This creates an annoying pin on the f6-knight against the queen. You are indirectly attacking d5 by neutralizing one of its key defenders.

Other paths here: e3 (QGD: 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3) · g3 (QGD: Catalan without Nf3) · Bf4 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Harrwitz Attack) · Nf3 (QGD: 4.Nf3)

4... Bb4Black

Black replies with Bb4, entering the sharpest lines of the D50 complex. While the classical Be7 or the solid c6 are more common, this move creates immediate tactical tension and forces White to address the pressure on c3.

Other paths here: c6 (QGD: 4.Bg5 c6) · dxc4 (QGD: 4.Bg5 dxc4) · c5 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Been-Koomen Variation) · Nbd7 (Queen's Gambit Declined: Modern Variation, Knight Defense)

Where you stand

The position is highly unbalanced. White must decide whether to resolve the central tension with cxd5 or protect the c3-knight with e3 or the queen. Black aims to use the pin on c3 to disrupt White's coordination, often followed by c5 to strike at the center. Both sides must navigate tactical landmines in this sophisticated struggle for central dominance.

• c4-d5 Trade pawns to open the c-file
• e2-e3 Support d4 and free the bishop
• c7-c5 Strike at the center with c5
• e8-g8 Castle kingside to ensure king safety
• d1-a4 Pressure the b4-bishop with the queen